So, I took an extended break from the game to focus on my professional and academic development, as well as my hobbies of writing and archery. Didn't leave a lot of time for online gaming. The few games I played to pass the free time I had were invariably handheld games (seriously recommend the Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 1 & 2 to everyone). Anyway, things have lightened up and as I always happens, I got homesick for Eorzea.
I started up the game yesterday (somehow coinciding magically with Patch 3.5) and started poking around. I opted to accept the "Returner's Bounty." Which taps me into the Novice Network, slaps an icon next to my name, and grants bonus exp when partying with a Mentor (up to level 20). There's a lot to take in it seems. I was super excited to find the new W-Cross hotbars (I usually play with a controller) and spent a lot of time just mapping out hotbars for my favorite jobs. Then spent some time trying to figure out where I stashed half my gear. "Why the hell does my MCH not have any pants anymore?!"
Then...I logged out. Because I'm at a loss for what to do next. There's at least 10 dungeons I've never done nor heard of. Primals galore. DAYS worth of Main Story quests. WHO THE HELL IS HILDEBRAND??? A flying cotton puff mount??? A bucketload of job adjustments that I missed I'm sure. And oodles of endgame content that I've never been brave enough to try out (I'm terrified of f*#%ing up and getting yelled at for stuff). There's some sort of Tower somewhere? AND I'm seeing that the new Item Level cap is nearly 100 levels ABOVE my best geared job, White Mage. Additionally, based on some cursory forum reading, there are a number of disgruntled WHMs that feel displaced, overlooked, or just not shiny compared to the other healing classes. Where to even begin? It felt almost like the first time I logged into FFXI, my first MMO, and was just instantly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things I don't know (I was a Tarutaru Black Mage but didn't even know how to equip my wand before I tried killing a mandragora).
So I'm asking for help. What are the most important things/changes I should know about? Where should I start playing? Cool places to go? What about solo content for someone who is frankly terrified of endgame crazies? Take a look at my leveled jobs. Should I sideline my WHM and focus on another class? Tips for crafting and gathering (because I'm broke)?
Lay all your wisdom on me. Crush me with your sage advice. Fill my comments section with your nuggets of knowledge. Help me before I lose motivation to play, simply because I don't know where to begin!
The most important change is that you can queue on the DF with your chocobo out.
The most important thing to know i that you can use that novice network channel to ask all the questions, about all the confusing things, that you now have. Also, use the gamerscape or bluegartr guides for levelling and unlocking content, to help guide you through the important stuff. Finally, WHMs are just fine in end-game, some people's opinions notwithstanding. There is no reason you can'ty play WHM at endgame.
